South Tanzania Birdwatching Safari

This south Tanzania birdwatching safari takes you on a professionally guided safari with Sven Liebchen, an expert and enthusiastic ornithologist, through the magnificent Ruaha and Mikumi National Parks and Selous Game Reserve. The safari ends with time to relax on the deserted white beaches on the coast south of Dar es Salaam where the lush gardens of Amani Beach Hotel provide still more excellent birding.

Bird life in Ruaha N.P., Mikumi N.P. and Selous Game Reserve is prolific with around 450 species recorded in each park. Eurasian migrants flock to Ruaha twice a year, from March to April and October to November - joining the resident kingfishers, hornbills, sunbirds, egrets, plovers and fish eagles. In general the best months for birding in south Tanzania are considered to be from October-April.

SOUTH TANZANIA BIRDS PHOTO GALLERY

ITINERARY:

 

DAY 1. DAR ES SALAAM

Arrival at Dar es Salaam International airport and transfer to Seacliff Hotel. (BB)

DAY 2. RUAHA

Transfer to domestic airport for flight to Ruaha, dep 08.30 arrive 11.30. Met and transfer to your lodge idyllically located on the banks of the Ruaha River for lunch. Afternoon game drive. O/n Ruaha River Lodge (FB)

DAY 3. RUAHA

Full day game drive in Ruaha N.P. O/n Ruaha River Lodge (FB)

DAY 4. RUAHA

Full day game drive in Ruaha N.P. O/n Ruaha River Lodge (FB)

DAY 5. RUAHA

Full day game drive in Ruaha N.P. O/n Ruaha River Lodge (FB)

DAY 6. MIKUMI

Drive through the southern highlands to Mikumi N.P. (approx 7 hours). Afternoon game drive or relax at the lodge. O/n Mikumi Wildlife Camp. (FB)

DAY 7. MIKUMI

Morning and afternoon game drives in Mikumi N.P. O/n Mikumi Wildlife Camp. (FB)

DAY 8. ULUGURU MOUNTAINS AND SELOUS

A scenic drive passing through the forests of the Uluguru Mountains to the boundary of Selous G.R. O/n Sable Mountain Lodge. (FB)

DAY 9. SELOUS

Full day game drive through Selous Game Reserve to Mtemere gate. O/n Rufiji River Camp on the banks of the Rufiji River. (FB)

DAY 10. SELOUS

Morning walking safari, afternoon game drive. O/n Rufiji River Camp. (FB)

DAY 11. SELOUS

Morning game drive, afternoon boat safari on Rufiji River. O/n Rufiji River Camp (FB)

DAY 12. DAR ES SALAAM SOUTH COAST

Fly Selous-Dar es Salaam (met and transfer to Amani Beach Hotel, 30 km south of the city. (FB)

DAY 13. DAR ES SALAAM SOUTH COAST

Relax at beach or take guided bird walks in the lush surroundings of the hotel. O/n Amani Beach Hotel. (FB)

DAY 14. DEPART

Transfer to Dar es Salaam international airport for flight departure.

N.B. Transfers from Amani can be organized by private charter flight to connect to morning flight departures.

TOTAL COST: Please request costs which depend on international flight/departure timings for transfers and also number of guests in each group.

BIRDS OF SPECIFIC INTEREST:

Ruaha:

Brown headed parrot
Yellow collared lovebird
Bare faced go-away bird
Tanzanian red billed hornbill
Banded parisoma
Ashy starling
African finfoot
Egyptian vulture

Mikumi:

Bare faced go-away bird
Secretary bird
Palm nut vulture
Crowned crane
Green wood hoopoe

Selous:

Black winged lapwing
Brown headed parrot
Tanzanian red billed hornbill
Uluguru violet-backed sunbird
Southern carmine bee-eater

COMMON BIRDS TO BE SEEN ON THE SAFARI:

Crested guinea fowl
Jacanas
Pelicans
Sandgrouses
African skimmers
Many raptors, storks and duck species